Month: October 2018

Medical Marijuana

Common Reasons Why Medical Marijuana Cards are Not Accepted

by Deborah

The push for the legalization of medical marijuana in the United States has been a slow going one. Over the last decade, we have taken numerous strides in creating compassionate care from state to state in the form of medical marijuana as an alternative medication. The progress has felt really slow, but when I look back to a time even 5 years ago, it seems we have really begun to pave a way and make space for the cannabis plant in the medical world. Finally, we are getting to a point in our society that recognizes the benefits and effectiveness of using medical marijuana to treat a variety of chronic health conditions, ranging from cancer to anxiety. 

Each year, we look forward to seeing more states declare their own medical marijuana programs and begin to accept patients into the program. If you have a health condition and rely on prescription medications, medical marijuana could be right for you. If you live in a state that has a medical marijuana program, it is definitely worth applying for. However, it is important to keep in mind that, at this time in the United States, the use of medical cannabis is a privilege and not a right. This means that no one is necessarily entitled to using medical marijuana as a treatment option.

However, many people all over the country are beginning to use cannabis as opposed to less natural and more dangerous prescription medications. If you are thinking about applying for a medical marijuana card in your state, the first thing that you’ll want to do is check to see if you have one of the qualifying conditions for use of an MMJ in your state. The process for applying for a medical marijuana card is not overly difficult or complicated, but it can leave a few people confused as to why they were rejected from the program in the case that they were not approved. Today, I am writing this article to talk about some of the common reasons for being denied a medical marijuana card after you have applied for one in your state.

One of the steps that one needs to take in the process of applying for a medical marijuana card is to have a doctor referral for your current health condition. You must first schedule a doctor’s appointment before applying, in order for the doctor to analyze your medical situation and needs and make a decision about what he or she thinks would be right for you. The doctor will take a lot of factors into consideration, including your past medical records, any history of drug use or overdose, and current health symptoms and conditions. This allows the practitioner to check for any risks that the patient may have for using medical marijuana.

After this assessment, the doctor will then decide whether to refer you to the medical marijuana program or not. In some cases, doctors may not approve a patient. If this is the case, one might consider simply moving on to a different doctor to try and get referred to the medical marijuana program. While that is completely legal and your choice, I recommend first considering the advice of the first doctor that declined you. While cannabis is very safe and generally risk-free, it does have risks for certain medical patients that may have underlying health conditions. 

Another reason that a patient may be denied from the medical marijuana program is if your chronic health symptoms are undiagnosed. As I mentioned earlier, each state has a list of qualifying health conditions for its medical marijuana program. 

Medical Marijuana

What to Expect When You Go to a Dispensary 

by Deborah

We are finally seeing a time in the United States where more and more people have access to using medical marijuana on a regular basis. There are currently about 39 states in the nation that have legalized the use of medical cannabis in varying degrees, and I am sure we will see at least one or two more states make similar programs this year. It is safe to say that more people in the United States have access to cannabis than ever before, and they can all do it without the threat of being charged with misdemeanors or federal offenses.

However, there can be some confusion among medical patients when they are first starting out in the medical marijuana program. When a specific state begins to legalize a medical marijuana program, it does not take long for dispensaries to begin popping up all over the place. For some people who have never set foot in a dispensary before, this can be a little bit disorienting. However, I am writing this post today to help all of those new medical marijuana patients who are just trying to get the swing of things while trying cannabis for themselves. You may not really know what to expect when you find yourself at a cannabis dispensary, and that is okay. Follow what I have to say in this article and you will be just fine!

One of the first things that you can expect on your first visit to a dispensary is to get carded. Even though some states allow cannabis to be purchased for recreational purposes by all adults over the age of 21, this is not necessarily the case in every state. In states that have only legalized medical marijuana, you can expect to be asked for your medical marijuana card and probably an ID like your driver’s license. This is just necessary for the dispensary to do in order to be sure you are who you say you are.

There is no need to be nervous about handing over your ID and MMJ as long as you have nothing to hide. Another thing that might catch you by surprise is noticing armed guards outside of or within the dispensary. While this might be startling, it is not uncommon and is something that many dispensaries do to ensure that their products and customers remain safe and protected. After all, the resale value of cannabis is extremely high, making it a potential target for thieves. Pay no attention to the guards if you notice them!

Another thing you should expect when you make your way over to a dispensary for the first time is that you may have to wait to be served. Medical marijuana facilities are very clinical and can be compared in some ways to a doctor’s office. Oftentimes, the medical providers and staff at the facility can only speak with and serve one patient at a time. With that being said, you should not have to wait for more than 15 minutes or so, but you may have to sit in a lobby for a little bit.

At recreational dispensaries, you will experience something different, but you still might have to wait because of all the people buying weed at that time. Another thing you need to know before going to the dispensary for the first time is that you should do a little bit of research into your health condition and the type of strains that you might want to try. While the budtender working there will be happy to help you find the right type of strain and product, it still might be a good idea to know a little bit about what is offered before you show up.